SW1911SC E-Series question...

[villedetwink]

I had been eyeing the SW1911SC E-Series for about a month before finally pulling the trigger on it yesterday.

My question.
Are there more than 1 variation of this Model?

The one I decided on yesterday has a Left-Side Only Thumb Safety and it came with 2 8rd Mags.

My LGS didn't have any information, just said that's how it came. Everything else looked stock/as described in the specs.
So I jumped on the purchase as I prefer LS only safeties and the 8rd mags...almost like it was meant just for me!

Took it to the range yesterday and put 200rds of AE 230gr FMJs and 20rds of Federal 230gr JHPs.
The pistol functioned flawlessly, not one FTF or FTE. The LS only safety locks perfectly. Stripped it down when I got home and gave it good cleaning and inspection; no burrs, scrapes or gouges as have been mentioned in previous SW1911SC E-Series posts I have read.

All-in-all I am very happy with the purchase. Just curious if anyone else has seen this particular variation.

I appreciate any information you may have. I can upload a few more photos when I get home this evening if it would help.

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

Congratulations on the new pistol. Although I do not have answers to your questions, I do own the same pistol as you and just love it. Mine has never had any malfunctions and has been a perfect carry pistol.
One thing I wanted to recommend to you is the keep the rails greased well. Several members at my local range have our same model, and have not greased the rails well, and have suffered excessive wear on the frame rails. I always keep lots of grease on the rails prior to a range season and have not experienced any visible wear of the the frame rails.
With this being said, I don't know if they may have had a burr and didn't realize it or didn't have enough lubrication, but for what these cost, I believe it's cheap insurance.

 

[villedetwink]

One thing I wanted to recommend to you is the keep the rails greased well. Several members at my local range have our same model, and have not greased the rails well, and have suffered excessive wear on the frame rails. I always keep lots of grease on the rails prior to a range season and have not experienced any visible wear of the the frame rails.
With this being said, I don't know if they may have had a burr and didn't realize it or didn't have enough lubrication, but for what these cost, I believe it's cheap insurance.

Agreed...Thank you for the advise!

 

[Barrie]

Is this pistol a A1 series pistol? The reason I ask is that usually at my club we don't shoot the two-thirty grain ammo unless it is. To me its harder on the gun if its not a A1 series I will say tho its a really good looking handgun for sure. I suspect you will have many great years of enjoyment with it.

 

[villedetwink]

Is this pistol a A1 series pistol? The reason I ask is that usually at my club we don't shoot the two-thirty grain ammo unless it is. To me its harder on the gun if its not a A1 series...

230gr is what I had on hand, and it is what I run through all of my .45 ACP pistols.
I have never heard of anyone having issue with 230gr, only +P and +P+ rounds.


If you wish, please elaborate on why it should not be used.
Thanks!

 

[FlyTyinFool]

Wow! Parallel universe!

Took delivery of mine Friday night. Disassembled, cleaned & lubed Saturday, and was also at my local range yesterday.

Similar range report, so I won't bother repeating your results. Suffice to say mine was also flawless. 450 rounds of 230gr RN Freedom Munitions. Really dirty, but cleaned up fine.

As to the safety... Mine is ambidextrous. Thought the passenger side isn't as wide as the driver's side. Didn't realize there was an option for ambi, or left only. I wanted the ambi, so no concerns there.

Mine came with 2 8-round magazines, and I purchased 4 extra Wilson Combat 47D magazines.

I'm looking forward to several thousand more rounds through this smooth operator!

 

[villedetwink]

Wow! Parallel universe!

Took delivery of mine Friday night. Disassembled, cleaned & lubed Saturday, and was also at my local range yesterday.

Similar range report, so I won't bother repeating your results. Suffice to say mine was also flawless. 450 rounds of 230gr RN Freedom Munitions. Really dirty, but cleaned up fine.

As to the safety... Mine is ambidextrous. Thought the passenger side isn't as wide as the driver's side. Didn't realize there was an option for ambi, or left only. I wanted the ambi, so no concerns there.

Mine came with 2 8-round magazines, and I purchased 4 extra Wilson Combat 47D magazines.

I'm looking forward to several thousand more rounds through this smooth operator!

Awesome...parallel universe indeed!

450rds...that is some serious range time with a .45. Congrats!

I as well ordered 4 Wilson Combat mags, but went with the 47DCB (low-profile option).
I have a few of the WC ETM mags that I used yesterday, no issues, fed perfectly but the base pad is about .25" longer than the grip. Hoping the low-profile mags will sit more flush.

Glad to hear yours came with two 8rd mags as well, it is listed to come with one 7 and one 8rd mag.
Mine is the first and only one I have seen with a left only safety, every one I had seen previously had the ambi (maybe it was a production fluke).

 

[ZoomieG]

From S&W website here:

Pistols | Smith & Wesson

Select "E-Series" in the second drop down from the left, and you'll see all six models available.

Since the website doesn't explain all the differences, here's a quick rundown of my observations:

SW1911 - SS Frame, SS Slide, contrast sights, single sided safety, sides of slide polished, back of slide satin.
SW1911 CT - mostly same as above, but with Crimson Trace laser grips
SW1911 TA - Rail on dust cover, night sights, serrations on back of slide, ambi safety. Two finishes: black & stainless (satin - no polish).
SW1911 SC - 4.25" barrel, night sights, scandium frame w/round butt, serrations on back of slide, ambi safety. Two finishes: black & two-tone (SS slide in satin finish).

The CT might have a satin finish on the slide; haven't seen that one in person.

Nice review here that highlights some of the changes in the E-series from previous S&W and other 1911s:
Why They Changed the 1911: Smith & Wesson 1911 E-Series Review - Guns & Ammo

 

[scooter123]

As noted previously you will want to keep your slide rails well greased, OIL is not a suitable lubricant for this pistol. The reason why grease is necessary is because the frame on your pistol is a Scandium doped ALUMINUM alloy and while the surface of Anodized Aluminum is quite wear resistant it is also VERY thin. Once that surface is breeched due to wear the softer aluminum underneath will wear VERY VERY quickly. So use grease to delay wearing through that anodized surface for as long as possible. BTW, long time Sig Sauer shooter here so I have plenty of experience with aluminum frames and what happens if you don't lubricate the frame rails properly.

 

[villedetwink]

From S&W website here:

SW1911 SC - 4.25" barrel, night sights, scandium frame w/round butt, serrations on back of slide, ambi safety. Two finishes: black & two-tone (SS slide in satin finish).

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
But this is not what I asked. I was looking for information on the specific Model I have, as to if there are 2 variations available... 1) ambi safety and/or 2) left side only safety

 

[villedetwink]

As noted previously you will want to keep your slide rails well greased, OIL is not a suitable lubricant for this pistol. ..So use grease to delay wearing through that anodized surface for as long as possible. BTW, long time Sig Sauer shooter here so I have plenty of experience with aluminum frames and what happens if you don't lubricate the frame rails properly.

Thank you, I as well have a few Sigs and am well aware of the issues that can arise without proper lubrication.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Some excellent recommendations have already been presented, especially those concerning lubrication. I use lubriplate for all of my 1911s and will soon be using lithium grease (white).

The proper lubrication will also allow you to avoid the risk of "galling", which happened to me with a SA stainless steel 1911 (Google ) The risk is higher when the slide is made from an alloy or there is a difference between the material used for the slide and that which was used for the frame.

I also ensure that the feed ramp is clean and as polished as I can get it without using jeweler's rouge, although I am wondering if Mother's Mag Wheel polish would do the trick?

Wilson Combat mags are excellent as are those made by Chip McCormick.

 

[ZoomieG]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
But this is not what I asked. I was looking for information on the specific Model I have, as to if there are 2 variations available... 1) ambi safety and/or 2) left side only safety

Sorry villedetwink, I totally missed the difference in the safety on yours. I must have glossed over the pic without really looking, as I thought I knew the model.

To provide a better answer, try having a look at the label on the side of the box. Is the SKU 108483, or something else? On the label that has "UPC RSR SER MFR", what are the product codes listed on the bottom? Should start "S&W 1911 E 45ACP...".

If it has a SKU of 108483, it seems to have a non-standard safety.

If it has a different SKU, well then you might have an uncatalogued model on your hands.

 

[ZoomieG]

The proper lubrication will also allow you to avoid the risk of "galling", which happened to me with a SA stainless steel 1911 (Google ) The risk is higher when the slide is made from an alloy or there is a difference between the material used for the slide and that which was used for the frame.

Everything I've read about galling suggests it's a problem with stainless slides on stainless frames of the same hardness of steel. Galling does not occur when your slide/frame are materials of different hardness (such as SS/ Alu alloy). What you WILL see with an Aluminum alloy frame is increase rail and finish wear, as the alloy and its finish are not a strong as stainless steel, materially. Galling and wear are not the same thing.

Note that galling has also largely been solved for several decades, and isn't a problem on modern stainless guns.

 

[villedetwink]

Sorry villedetwink, I totally missed the difference in the safety on yours. I must have glossed over the pic without really looking, as I thought I knew the model.

To provide a better answer, try having a look at the label on the side of the box. Is the SKU 108483, or something else? On the label that has "UPC RSR SER MFR", what are the product codes listed on the bottom? Should start "S&W 1911 E 45ACP...".

If it has a SKU of 108483, it seems to have a non-standard safety.

If it has a different SKU, well then you might have an uncatalogued model on your hands.

No worries ZoomieG...
I appreciate your advice and I will look into that. Thank you.